Red Pencils and Bucket Lists with Fred Miller
This lively, informative interview features Fred Miller, a compelling speaker, writer, and international coach. Fred is the author of five popular books in his No Sweat Public Speaking series. In this episode, we talk about his journey from a single public speaking class to growing and developing his business; his dream of helping others to master public speaking; and the success secrets he’s learned along the way. With wit and gentle humor, Fred highlights the importance of knowing your why, the power of the pivot, and the art of recovering from holy cow moments and epic fails.
If you’re looking for a great listen, you’ve come to the right place. Grab your favorite earphones and a cup of java, or head out for a walk or drive. Then click the Play button above and enjoy the ride.
The Backstory
The first time I heard Fred Miller speak in person I was absolutely dazzled. He was a guest speaker at a monthly meeting of the Saint Louis Publisher’s Association, which I had joined while working on a book in 2020. In a word, he was astounding. Not only was the content he presented pitch perfect for the audience — his presentation skills were out of this world. He was dynamic, funny, and charming, and his use of PowerPoint was a thing of beauty. After his presentation, I wanted to thank him in person, as did the long line of admirers who waited to speak with him that evening. So, I walked away without talking with him that night, but with his powerful presentation playing in my head.
Flash forward to 2021, when I was proofreading for a local business magazine. Fred wrote a regular column for the monthly publication, and I was assigned to his work as a proofreader. Fred tells one of my favorite stories about how he came to hire me as an editor for one of his book revisions. Needless to say our collaboration was delightful, and he quickly moved to the top of my guestlist for the podcast. Happily, he said, “Yes.” Now it’s your turn to fall head over heels for the marvelous Fred Miller.
The Interview
You’ll especially enjoy the part of the interview where we talk about Fred’s superpower and kryptonite, and success secrets he has learned from following his dreams. Along the way, you’ll hear engaging stories from a master storyteller and learn a few tips and techniques for overcoming your own fear of public speaking.
Fun Facts
- Dynamic keynote speaker, international coach, and writer
- Founder, No Sweat Public Speaking
- Outstanding facilitator: Public speaking | presentation workshops + breakout sessions
- Author of five books in his popular No Sweat Public Speaking series
- Apple (tech) wizard and Zoom aficionado
- Master mindmapper
- Blogger extraordinaire
- Passion: Helping people overcome their fear of public speaking and master public speaking
Cool Links
Fred’s excellent public speaking blog
Fred’s extensive YouTube channel
No Sweat Public Speaking – Fred’s website that’s filled with great content
mastermindmapper.com – Fred’s cool mindmapping website
Quotes by Fred Miller
“Speaking opportunities are business, career, and leadership opportunities.”
“Education is focused on students, medicine is focused on patients, and the hospitality industry is focused on guests. If you want to be a great speaker, you’ve got to be focused on the audience.”
“Make public what you’re going to do. As soon as you say you’re going to [do something], be prepared. Everyone is going to say, “How’s that coming along?” When you make it public and enough people know, that motivates you to do it.”
“Content is king.”
“Get out of your comfort zone. Make it larger. Learn new things.’
Today’s interview features the delightfully creative mixed-media artist, Cynthia Correll. We highlight her artistic journey from book artist to communication architect to mixed-media artist; the magic of visuals, words, and structure that drives her creativity; and the role of curiosity in following her dreams. We also discuss the artistic process as an act of discovery, the Third Act as the best part of life, and the unexpected benefits of creating a 30-year plan. What fun!
Cynthia and I first met in 2017 in Saint Louis. At the time, she was a successful marketing consultant and graphic designer, and I quickly learned that she was smart, savvy, and inventive. Before long, we had the chance to work together on building the brand for a digital magazine I had launched. To say that she intimidated me at the time would be an understatement. (Wait for it. The tide will turn.) Two years later, we had the chance to work together again – just as she was retiring and beginning to pursue her passion for art. For me, her metamorphosis was dazzling and noteworthy. Within the year, she seemed to transform from a no-nonsense, marketing wizard to a wildly creative, happy-go-lucky, mischievous spirit. Who knew following a dream could make such a difference? Cynthia Correll knew!
This fascinating interview with Cynthia is special for so many reasons. You’ll love her wonderfully descriptive stories about her journey as a creative entrepreneur and artist — as well as the history behind her whimsical, coffee table book called The Land of Ampersand. You’ll also enjoy hearing the process she went through to find her voice as an artist, and the roles that intuition, curiosity, joy, and whimsy play in her life and work.